How to Transfer Database from One Server to Another (3 Ways)

"I have a database in SQL Server 2008, which I want to copy to another server. How do I make such a copy? What should I do at the other server computer to build the database once again from my copy?"

Do you manage a SQL server with some critical database waiting to be migrated from one Windows server to another, or from one computer to another? Never mind. There are a few possible ways to make the database transfer done. Not all the mentioned migration ways are easy to follow, but applying each with the correct steps will completely solve the problem of not knowing how to transfer a database from one server to another. Hence, depending on your own IT background, you can choose one method among the upcoming three that suits you the best to migrate a database from one machine to another with minimal efforts.

Note: To adopt the first and simplest solution of EaseUS server migration software to transfer, move or copy a database in SQL server 2003, 2008, 2012, 2016 or 2019, you'll first download the software on both of your server computers.

In fact, EaseUS Todo PCTrans is able to transfer everything in bulk on multiple computers at once, and automatically. Let it be programs, files, data, programs, settings, user accounts or server databases. You can easily do the database migration by simply setting up the involved computers in the same LAN, select the database on the source server computer, and use a click to migrate the selected database to the target server computer over the internet.

Important

Computers are not located on the same LAN? Don't bother. The other transfer mode "Image Transfer" is available to use, which can perfectly solve the none-internet environment problem when transferring a database across servers.

If you want to transfer data selectively, click "Edit" under each category, and choose the specific items.

Step 3. Click "Transfer" to start transferring your apps/files/accounts from one computer to another computer via the Internet.

Method 2. How to Copy Database from One Server to Another Using Copy Database Wizard

The Copy Database Wizard is built in the SQL Server Management Studio. When you have two servers and plan to migrate a database from Server A to Server B, at the same time, you're kind of server experts or administrators, then using the inbuilt database migration feature is a good way to start.

There are some noticeable limits to know if you choose the Copy Database Wizard to copy a database from one server to the other.

The Copy Database Wizard is not available in the Express edition.

A database cannot be moved or copied to an earlier version of SQL Server.

The Copy Database Wizard cannot be used to copy or move databases that are system, marked for replication, marked Inaccessible, Loading, Offline, Recovering, Suspect, or in Emergency Mode, or have data or log files stored in Microsoft Azure storage.

Open SQL Server Management Studio and follow the steps:

Step 2. On the Copy Database Wizard window, you need to click Next to move on.

Step 3. Select a source server by entering the source server name. Use Windows authentication or SQL Server authentication mode with user name and password to enter the server. Click Next.

Step 4. Enter the destination server name and apply the authentication information this time. Click Next.

Step 5. Between the two transfer methods, choose to Use the SQL Management Object method and click Next.

Step 6. Now you arrive at the step where you can choose the specific database. After selecting the database, there are options to Move or Copy the selected database. Tick Copy if you wish to keep it on the original server. Otherwise, tick Move, which will move the database to the next server.

Step 7. Next, you can check the MDF and log file path on the destination machine. Follow the wizard to the final step. After success, you can see the database (according to its name) is on the right path of the destination server machine.

Method 3. How to Move Database from One Server to Another Using Backup and Restore

As you've learned, SQL Server Management Studio itself is an all-around server management toolkit. Besides using the direct way of using the copy and move feature to transfer a database from one server to another, there is another backup and restore in it you can also make full use of.

Follow the steps to create a full backup and restore it on the other server computer:

Step 5. Here select Device, and you'll choose the created backup files on the source location and restore it to the destination location on the new computer.

Which Way Do You Prefer to Transfer Database from One Server to Another?

This article mainly discusses how to transfer database from one server to another or how to transfer Microsoft SQL database from one computer to another computer in three effective ways, including using the EaseUS server migration software, the Copy Database Wizard, and the backup and restore method.

By contrast, the first method of using EaseUS Todo Backup is the most straightforward and smartest, with the least chance of making mistakes during the course of the database transfer. No matter you're familiar with the server database copy wizard, or the backup and restore method or not, it's applicable to everyone with different technical levels.